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Recent news from WHO

The Adelaide Statement on Health in All Policies introduces a strategic approach for all sectors and levels of government to include health and well-being as a key component of policy development. Developed at an international meeting in April, in Adelaide, Australia, the Adelaide Statement outlines the need for a new social contract between all sectors because the determinants of health and well-being lie outside the health sector. Available at: http://www.who.int/social_determinants/hiap_statement_who_sa_final.pdf

Between 24 May and 2 June, WHO and other humanitarian health partners helped Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Public Health and Child Welfare immunize more than five million children against measles. The campaign was held in response to an outbreak that caused 517 deaths since September 2009.

On 18 June, WHO launched its Model Formulary for Children – a comprehensive guide to using more than 240 essential medicines in children up to 12 years of age. For the first time, medical practitioners worldwide have access to standardized information on the recommended use, dosage, adverse effects and contraindications of these medicines for use in children.

On 17 June, the global polio eradication initiative launched its Strategic Plan 2010–2012. Progress has been significant, particularly in Nigeria where case numbers have plummeted from 312 cases by mid-2009 to three to date in 2010. However, a US$ 1.3 billion funding shortfall (out of a budget of US$ 2.6 billion) for the next three years threatens this mission to eradicate polio.

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from 1 to 7 August in more than 120 countries to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. It commemorates the Innocenti Declaration made in August 1990 to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding until a baby is six months old and continued breastfeeding with the addition of nutritious complementary foods for up to two years or beyond.

For more about these and other WHO news items please see: http://www.who.int/mediacentre